Take on light household chores Similarly, you should be able to resume day-to-day tasks around the house without much trouble around two weeks after delivery. "But always listen to your body," notes Dr. Raghuraman. "If there is any discomfort, immediately stop and rest."
After any delivery, a mother needs to allow her body to rest and heal. Ideally, this means little to no housework, and no running after other little ones. The maternal mortality rate is highest in the postpartum period, so special consideration needs to be given to the care of the mother.
Slowing down and truly giving your body the chance to heal is one of the best things that you can do for yourself. So, to recap, if at all possible, avoid using the vacuum cleaner for the first 6 weeks postpartum. If you need to sweep or mop, really take it easy.
Within one to six weeks. “Mothers who have vaginal deliveries can generally return to exercise sooner than those who have had c-sections,” says Mudd, “but both can do light exercise, such as walking, whenever they feel ready.” We're talking light here—not strenuous exercises or high-impact aerobics.
Vaginal delivery: For perineal stitches : These will heal in 3-4 weeks on their own, they do not need to be removed. Showers for the first 2-3 weeks, if you have no shower, take a sponge bath or a tub bath but do not add bubble bath to the water or shave during the bath.
If your postnatal bleeding (lochia) gets heavier or changes colour (becomes pink or red) after activity, you could be overdoing it.
Take it slowly for your first six weeks postpartum, and stay at a workout intensity at which you can maintain a conversation but not belt out a song. Try to build up to walking three to five times a week for 30 minutes at this exertion level.
Don't lift from a squatting position. Don't lift anything heavier than your baby. Support your belly with pillows when you're breastfeeding. Drink plenty of water to help replace fluids in your body.
Avoid stairs and lifting until your doctor says these activities are OK. Don't take a bath or go swimming until the doctor says it's OK. Don't drive until your doctor says it's OK. Also wait until you can make sudden movements and wear a safety belt properly without discomfort.
The first few weeks after delivery are an important time for you to rest whenever you can. Try and sleep or rest when your baby sleeps. This rest will help you recover. Avoiding heavy lifting: You should avoid lifting anything that's heavier than your baby while you're recovering.
Think of it as an investment that will pay off greatly as you walk through and beyond the fourth trimester. Prepare for the 5-5-5 rule: 5 days in the bed, 5 days on the bed, 5 days near the bed.
After having a baby, you should get at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity every week. You can divide the 150 minutes into 30-minute workouts on 5 days of the week or into smaller 10-minute sessions throughout each day. For example, you could go for three 10-minute walks each day.
2 weeks after the birth
Aim for 30 minutes of walking, 5 days per week. Listen to your body and your energy levels. You may need to start with just a few minutes of walking before building up to half an hour. Stay well hydrated, especially if you are breastfeeding.
Fortunately, research suggests that children don't experience any harm when their moms work outside the home. The decision to stay at home or return to work is very personal, and there is no one “right” decision for everyone. Keep in mind that a happy mommy will mean a happier baby!
Having a hot bath one hour after welcoming your baby into the world can dilate the blood vessels in your uterus, potentially leading to increased bleeding, dizziness and fainting. To take care of postpartum perineal pain after vaginal delivery, you can start taking a sitz bath 12 hours after giving birth.
In almost all non-Western societies, 40 days after birth is seen as necessary for recuperation. Among most non-Western cultures, family members (especially female relatives) provide strong social support and help new mothers at home during this period.
Stitches or staples.
If you have stitches due to a torn or cut perineum (see “Perineum soreness,” above), it will take 7-10 days to heal. The stitches will absorb over time. It is important that you keep the stitches from getting infected by gently cleaning them with warm water after each time you use the toilet.
The practices during these days may vary depending on which part of the country you are from. But largely, the first 40 days are seen as a confinement period, meant for you to recuperate, gain strength and bond with your new baby. It's quite natural to feel that 40 days is too long.
One thing that often surprises my patients is that you should not drive for two weeks after delivery. All deliveries, whether vaginal or cesarean, involve some blood loss. This blood loss could cause some weakness which could impair your driving ability.
All surgical wounds need support during sudden movement such as, coughing, sneezing, vomiting and even hearty laughter to avoid wound breakdown. The incidence of wound breakdown after caesarean birth is significant and women need to have knowledge and understanding to help reduce their risks.
Just as your belly slowly grows to accommodate baby during pregnancy, it'll slowly go back down to its normal size now that baby is on the outside. Postpartum belly progression varies from mom to mom. But, in general, you can expect to feel more like yourself within the first six months postpartum.
Uterus involution is a natural process that involves your pregnant uterus returning to its pre-pregnancy state. The process begins after you deliver your baby and the placenta and takes about six weeks to complete.
1 Week Postpartum. The first week postpartum is the most intensive in terms of adjustment and recovery. You have just given birth, are taking care of a newborn, and may have experienced vaginal or perineum tearing (and stitches) or other delivery complications.